THE BLACK REDSTART. 

 Ruticilla titys (Scopoli). 

 Plate 4. 



Much less common than the preceding species, the Black Redstart regularly 

 visits the south coast of England in autumn while migrating, sometimes spending 

 the winter there, although not, as far as is known, breeding in this country. 



Abroad this species occasionally ranges as far north as Scandinavia, and is 

 found southwards to the Mediterranean and North Africa, wintering still further 

 southwards in Africa. Eastwards it reaches the Ural and Asia Minor. 



In summer the Black Redstart is a common and familiar bird in the Swiss 

 valleys, frequenting the neighbourhood of villages and cowsheds. 



The nest is placed under the eaves of buildings, or in a hole in some wall 

 or rock, and is composed of dead grasses, moss, and rootlets, and lined with hair 

 and feathers. 



The eggs, varying in number from four to six, are mostly pure white, though 

 occasionally marked with brown spots. 



According to Seebohm {British Birds, p. 294), " Its song is very simple, con- 

 sisting only of three or four melodious notes. Like the Robin it is constantly in 

 the habit of drooping its head and slightly lifting its wing, whilst the tail is suddenly 

 jerked up and half expanded." 



Like the Common Redstart, its food consists of flies and various other insects 

 and larvae. 



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